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Archbishop Chaput to be honored at Denver's Seminary Tribute Dinner
By Roxanne King
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Tribute Dinner When: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 |
Many people are hopeful that 11-11-11 will be an auspicious date, including the two archdiocesan seminaries, which are playing host to a benefit dinner that evening.
Special guest at the Seminary Tribute Dinner will be Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. The former archbishop of Denver will be honored for his work fostering the archdiocese’s two seminaries: St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary.
The event is set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Seawell Ballroom of the Denver Center for Performing Arts complex.
“We want to give Archbishop Chaput special thanks and recognition for his vision and dedication to the development and growth of the seminaries,” said Msgr. Michael G. Glenn, rector of St. John Vianney. “Under his influence, the seminaries have risen to a position of national prominence.”
Archbishop Chaput advanced the efforts of his predecessor, now-Cardinal J. Francis Stafford, by confirming Redemptoris Mater in 1998 and inaugurating St. John Vianney in 1999. Under Archbishop Chaput’s leadership, the seminaries earned a spot among the top 10 U.S. seminaries for number of seminarians and ordinations. Administrators note that this took place during a critical period in the Catholic Church, nationally and globally, for vocations.
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Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.. |
While both seminaries form priests to serve the Denver Archdiocese, St. John Vianney also forms priests for dioceses lacking their own seminary. At Redemptoris Mater, an international seminary where the men come from some 17 countries including the United States, the men also receive missionary training and may be sent, at the bishop’s discretion, anywhere in the world.
“St. John Vianney and Redemptoris Mater officially opened their doors in September 1999 and spring 1996 respectively,” Deacon Neal explained. “It is with joy that we have ordained 72 men since September 1999.”
In addition to witnessing the tribute to Archbishop Chaput, attendees of the Seminary Dinner will get to hear the seminarians perform songs under the guidance of music director Mark Lawlor, watch a video about the seminaries that includes seminarian-Deacon Ryan O’Neill speaking about the formation he is receiving and have an opportunity to bid on a handful of live auction items.
The Seminary Dinner begins with a cocktail hour, followed by the dinner and program. Tickets range from $175 to $250 per person. For tickets, call Melissa Crowley, St. John Vianney’s executive director of development, at 303-282-3441 or email her at melissa.crowley@archden.org. Reservation deadline is Nov. 4.
The Denver Center for Performing Arts complex is located at 1101 13th St. in downtown Denver.
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